2019 Porsche Macan

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited

Safety

The Macan offers optional Porsche Active Safe, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Tiguan Limited doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Macan. But it costs extra on the Tiguan Limited.

To prevent power induced skids and loss of control on slick surfaces, the Porsche Macan has standard full range traction control. The Tiguan Limited’s traction control is for low speeds only. Low traction conditions at higher speeds are more dangerous, making the need for full range traction control important.

The Macan’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Macan offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Tiguan Limited only offers a rear monitor.

The Macan’s optional blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

The Porsche Macan weighs 508 to 889 pounds more than the Volkswagen Tiguan Limited. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The Macan comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years 50,000 miles. Porsche will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Volkswagen doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Tiguan Limited.

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Tiguan Limited’s (12 vs. 10 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 24th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 19th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2018 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 5 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Macan’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Macan has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tiguan Limited (19.8 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Porsche Macan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tiguan Limited.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Macan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tiguan Limited:

Macan

Macan S

Tiguan Limited

Front Rotors

13.6 inches

14.2 inches

12.3 inches

Rear Rotors

13 inches

13 inches

11.1 inches

The Macan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Tiguan Limited are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Macan has larger standard tires than the Tiguan Limited (F:235/60R18 & R:255/55R18 vs. 215/65R16). The Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tiguan Limited (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 255/40R19).

The Macan’s standard 235/60R18 front and 255/55R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series front and 55 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tiguan Limited S’ standard 65 series tires. The Macan’s optional 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Tiguan Limited SEL’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Tiguan Limited S. The Macan’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Tiguan Limited SEL.

Suspension and Handling

The Macan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Tiguan Limited’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Macan’s wheelbase is 8 inches longer than on the Tiguan Limited (110.5 inches vs. 102.5 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tiguan Limited (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is 2.1 inches higher than on the Tiguan Limited (9 vs. 6.9 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Macan has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Payload and Towing

The Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tiguan Limited’s (4409 vs. 2200 pounds).

The Macan has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Tiguan Limited (1435 vs. 1149 lbs.).

The Macan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Tiguan Limited (1435 vs. 1195 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Tiguan Limited. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Macan to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volkswagen doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Tiguan Limited.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 46% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Tiguan Limited Sport/SEL, the Macan offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Macan’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Macan’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tiguan Limited’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

Porsche Entry and Drive optional on the Macan allows you to unlock the doors, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Volkswagen Tiguan Limited’s Keyless Access doesn’t unlock the cargo door.

The Macan offers optional automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Tiguan Limited has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Macan and the Tiguan Limited offer available heated front seats. The Macan also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Tiguan Limited.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Macan keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Macan has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Tiguan Limited Sport/SEL.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Macan offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Macan’s standard separate stalk mounted cruise control is close at hand. The Tiguan Limited’s standard cruise control is on an over-crowded turn signal stalk.

The Macan’s standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Tiguan Limited’s navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

With standard voice command, the Macan offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Tiguan Limited doesn’t offer a voice control system.